1 research outputs found
Redox-Responsive “Catch and Release” Cryogels: A Versatile Platform for Capture and Release of Proteins and Cells
Macroporous cryogels are attractive
scaffolds for biomedical
applications,
such as biomolecular immobilization, diagnostic sensing, and tissue
engineering. In this study, thiol-reactive redox-responsive cryogels
with a porous structure are prepared using photopolymerization of
a pyridyl disulfide poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PDS-PEG-MA)
monomer. Reactive cryogels are produced using PDS-PEG-MA and hydrophilic
poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) monomers,
along with a PEG-based cross-linker and photoinitiator. Functionalization
of cryogels using a fluorescent dye via the disulfide-thiol exchange
reactions is demonstrated, followed by release under reducing conditions.
For ligand-mediated protein immobilization, first, thiol-containing
biotin or mannose is conjugated onto the cryogels. Subsequently, fluorescent
dye-labeled proteins streptavidin and concanavalin A (ConA) are immobilized
via ligand-mediated conjugation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that
the mannose-decorated cryogel could capture ConA selectively from
a mixture of lectins. The efficiency of protein immobilization could
be easily tuned by changing the ratio of the thiol-sensitive moiety
in the scaffold. Finally, an integrin-binding cell adhesive peptide
is attached to cryogels to achieve successful attachment, and the
on-demand detachment of integrin-receptor-rich fibroblast cells is
demonstrated. Redox-responsive cryogels can serve as potential scaffolds
for a variety of biomedical applications because of their facile synthesis
and modification